Category: West Indonesia Old Forts

Along the road east of Banda Aceh leading to Malahayati harbour one can visit three historic sites which testify of the heroic struggle of the Acehnese against foreign invaders. The first of these sites is the Indra Patra Fort, actually part of a defence system consisting of three forts at different compass directions from town. It is constructed of chalk rock and played an important role in the defense against the Portuguese. The fort consists of two parts. One part must have been the barracks housing the soldiers. Within the walled yard of 70 x 70 m2 there are two covered wells still containing clear water. The other part, closer to the sea and measuring 35 x 35 m2, evidently held the cannons to attack enemy ships. It has embrasures in the seaward walls and a thick-walled and thick-roofed shed which we think was the ammunition store. We thought the fort was built against the Portuguese invaders and therefore some 400 years old. And seeing its condition we surmised that at some time restoration work must have been done on it. But then we found a website in Indonesian language – wisatamelayu.com – stating that it was built in the 7th century AD by the pre-islamic Lamuri kingdom. The same website indeed mentions recent renovation efforts by the Aceh government, and reports that a gate was destroyed by the tsunami. Address: Ladong village, Masjid Raya district, Aceh Besar regency Directions: About 20 km norts-east of town. With public transport, take a labi-labi (minibus) direction Krueng Raya. With own transport, follow Daud Beureuh street out of town. When facing a T-crossing at a river bank turn left direction Malahayati harbour. At about 20 km from town a weathered signboard points to the fort at the coast.

Standing atop the 10 meters high and 288.75 meters long thick walls of Kuto Besak Fortress, one looks down on the passing boats and ships on the Musi River below. Built during the 17th century, Kuto Besak Fort is a legacy of the Palembang Darussalam Sultanate, that ruled from 1550-1823. Acting as a defense post, the location of the Fortress is both politically and geographically strategic as it forms and island on its own, bordered by on its south by the Musi River, the Sekanak River on its west, the Kapuran River on its north, and the Tengkuruk River on its east. According to history, the building of the Kuto Besak Fortress was initiated by Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin I, who reigned from 1724 to 1758. The construction started in 1780 during the era of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin. The fort was meant as a palace, which was built to replace the old Keraton Kuto Lamo or Benteng Kuto Lamo which did not look sufficiently grand. Today, the Benteng Kuto Lamo is used as the Museum Sultan Mahmud Badarudin II It took 17 years before Kuto Besak Fortress was finally used officially as the Sultanate’s governmental center from February 21st 1797. Kuto Besak Fortress is a reflection of the multi- ethnic society of the era of the Palembang Darussalam Sultanate. Supervision of its construction was entrusted to a Chinese supervisor, while laborers were both native Palembang and Chinese who worked hand in hand in harmony. This is also one of the legacies that is passed down to this day as illustrated in many of the city’s special events such as at the Cap Go Meh and Imlek (Chinese New Year) Celebrations. Each corner of the fort is strengthened with bastions. The Bastion in the west corner is larger and similar to other forts in Indonesia while the other three bastions are achitecturally unique, and are unlikely found elsewhere. The main gate, called lawang kuto, is located in the south facing the Musi River, while the other gates, called lawang borotan are located in the west and the east, although the west gate is today the only one that is still standing. History tells us that in 1821 the fort was invaded by the Dutch colonial army. The Kuto Besak Fortress was taken and the reigning Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II exiled to Maluku. This marks the end of the Palembang Sultanate era. The Dutch occupation left its marks on the fort as it carved its colonial style on Kuto Besak Fortress. Today, the Kuto Besak Fortress is, unfortunately, closed to the public since it is used as a military base. However, the Fortress remains an attraction . As the sun sets in the afternoon, lights glow around the fort, creating sparkles that highlight the walls of the fort. As one of the historical landmarks, a trip to Palembang will not be complete without a visit to Kuto Besak Fortress. Getting there is far from complicated. Take a taxi or find public transportation, an angkot, which passes by the fort. Buses also pass this historic complex, and so does the blue Trans Musi.

This fort has been established in the year 1746, when the Kraton of Mataram under ruler Paku Buwono II was moved from Kartosuro to Surakarta (Solo). When the new kraton was built Fort “De Grootmoedigheid” was erected in front of it. On May 11, 1746 governor-general Gustaaf Baron van Imhoff arrived at Ungaran to have a meeting with PB II. To remember that moment the fort at Ungaran was named “De Ontmoeting” (“The Meeting”). In Salatiga another fort was build with the name “Hersteller” (“The Restorer”), this name was given to Von Imhoff because he restored the relations between Mataram and the VOC. In Boyolali another small fort named “Veldwachter” (“County watcher”) was established. The road between Semarang and the Kraton in Surakarta was very important so it was protected with several forts. The fort has been rebuild in 1786. In September 1811 general J.W. Janssens retired in this fort when he had to flee for the English troops that were conquering Java under command of major-general Auchmuty. The place was called Oenarang in those days. A few days later general Janssens surrendered at Tuntang near Salatiga. The road between Semarang and Central Java has always been important, as it provided the Mataram court access to the sea through the important harbour of Semarang. The road was also used by Rijklof van Goens when he travelled as an envoy of the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) to the Mataram court to pay respect to the ruler Amangkurat 1 in name of the Company. Between 1648 and 1654 he travelled this road 5 times. The journey went from Batavia to Semarang by sea, from Semarang the VOC servant had to walk together with the soldiers of Mataram for 4 days through the rough mountains of Central Java. Rijklof van Goens wrote about these journeys and left us wonderful descriptions in his ‘Javasche Reijsen’.

Ambarawa has an altitude about 475-50 meters above the sea level. Since 1840s, it was a plantation town, because Ambarawa has excellent climate for the agricultural products especially coffee plantation [Cultuur Stelsel]. Located in Central Java about 30 km south of Samarang [North Coast] or 80 km north of Djocja [South Coast], and surrounded by mountains as well. From the military perspective, Ambarawa was sited near the strategic axis of Samarang – Souracarta. In the mid of 18th century, the VOC established some fortifications along the route Samarang-Oenarang-Sallatiega-Souracarta. It was designed to establish the connection between the Company and the Mataram Kingdom. Therefore, many military encampments have been established in those towns. In period Java War 1827-30, Colonel Hoorn, Military Commander in the 2nd division to the crossroads at Bawen (where the main roads of Samarang-Djocja and Samarang-Sallatiega are united), had the bamboo sheds for storing reserve forces and provided as complementary to, if he becomes available (military logistic) in Ambarawa. This point was so convenient. Post Java War period, during Koningin Willem II, a modern fort Willem I was established in 1834-53 at that former bamboo sheds of military logistic storage. Fort William I was formerly known as a big army camp of KNIL. The camp was connected by rail to Semarang and Yogyakarta. Present day, this fort is still purposed as penitentiary building, which sited in land of Battalion Cavalry 2 – Indonesian Forces. From Ambarawa, here we took a walk to cruise inside the Fort Willem I on Sunday, 27th of September 2009.

Fort Vredeburg is a fortress built by the Dutch in Yogyakarta during Colonial times. It is located in front of Gedung Agung, one of seven presidential palaces in Indonesia and the Sultan Palace called Kraton. It was built in 1765 to protect the Dutch governor. It is surrounded by a trench that is still visible. This square-shaped fortress has a watchtower at each of its four corners. In the past, the Dutch troops patrolled frequently on its wall. Nowadays, the fortress has become a museum. In some buildings in the fortress there are dioramas on Indonesian history.

When Commodore Roggervein (Campbell in Abbas, 2001:43) visited Jepara in 1722, he mentioned about a wooden fort on a hill. History sources from 1774-1775 mentioned that the fort was triangular and made of stone, in good conditions, and located on a hill; on each of the corners was a bastion; one bastion faced the sea while the two others faced inland. The fort was furnished with cannons, and watched by a sergeant, two corporals and 16 other men. (Stockdale, 2003:177) . It was not known when the fort was built but it is speculated that it had existed since the 17th. Century (Graaf inAbbas 2001.43). It is said that after VOC built its trade post in Jepara in 1651, they also built a fort on Danareja hill, after the hill was conquered by Speelman in 1677. Not long afterwards, Lieutenant Martinus van Ingen made a drawing, in which a for was planned to be built, large enough to house 100 Dutch soldiers under the command of a lieutenant. At the time, Jepara was under the the Javanese king, Ngabei Wangsadipa, who donated 5 cannons to VOC, in order to protect and defend the city. Some of the cannons were put on Danareja hill. (Olthof and Graaf in Abbas, 2001.144) The existence of the fort was also underlined by a passage in history about the army of Trunajaya who had several times tried to attack the fort but without success. A history source mentioned that the fort was built in1676 and used during the fight against Trunajaya rebellion, and was restored during the rebellion of Untung Surapati. (Soekiman in Abbas, 2001.44) The fort was abandoned in the beginning of the 18th century when VOC army was moved to the pentagonal fort of Semarang.

Vastenburg Fort….Hmmm, it was not familiar name for me in the first time I heard during the committee meeting of Solo International Ethnic Music (SIEM) Festival 2007. The head of SIEM mentioned that fort would be used as the venue of the festival. I started to seriously think. “Where was it?” or maybe I had seen before but did not know the name. In 2007, my age was about the beginning of 20s and I never heard it before, my parent and most of my Solonese friends, as well. Honestly, it was very strange. I was so curious and began to do small research. I was surprised when I first time knew the position of Vastenburg Fort. It was directly in the front of my grandfather office, Telkom Solo in Koesmanto Street, in which I often pick my grandfather to his office. However, I could not be blamed why I did not know that fort. I thought it was empty space that looked like more as jungle. It was huge area covered by iron sheeting. Thus, the people who passed it totally could not be aware that actually there was something beautiful inside. I was so lucky to be in front of Vastenburg.in front of Vastenburg. in front of Vastenburg. the committee of SIEM since I had the opportunity to immediately see inside Vastenburg Fort soon after the committee uncovered the old iron sheeting and cut so much high grasses. I was so amazed and felt like entering different world in my city. The spacious square building with typical colonial style and huge open air arena in the middle. Vastenburg Fort actually can be accessed from four different streets. The main gate is in front of Post Office Solo, in Sudirman Street. In its northern part can be seen from Koesmanto Street, in its southern part from Sunaryo street, and its eastern part (back part) from Mulyadi Street. The position of the fort that can be accessed from four different streets indicated that it is obviously large. It is about 31,532 metre square and it is very near with the main street of Solo, Slamet Riyadi. The position of Vastenburg Fort in the past was very strategic in social and political life in Solo. It can be observed from how closed its position to four main important buildings in Solo that have deep philosophical meaning for Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta. In arranging and setting the city, the kingdom has Vastenburg beauty at night. Vastenburg beauty at night. Vastenburg beauty at night. 4 symbols of philosophy. First is Keraton as the symbol of governance who leads the people, Masjid Agung Surakarta as the symbol of good, prison as the symbol of bad, and Pasar Gede as the symbol of social activity…and Vastenburg Fort was built so closely with those four buildings. The purpose of choosing the position was clear for Dutch Colonialist to control Solo politically and socially with function for protection, too. When you enter the main gate, you will be greeted by some statues. The first statue, I am not sure whether it is cow or buffalo. Then you will also see the typical Javanese statue; Reco Gladag, the twin giant having symbol to protect the main gate. But the shape is very different with common other Reco Gladag that is big in body shape and has scary image. It is small and looks not very strong in image. Moreover, you will see the big two pillars before you pass high iron fence that absolutely will remain you the atmosphere as you see in European movies that use kingdom as setting of place. After you pass the high iron fence, you will see that you are under the Inside the main tower of VastenburgInside the main tower of Vastenburg Inside the main tower of Vastenburg main tower that in the past has the function to supervise and control the condition of Solo. The tower itself is unique. The style looks more “flexible” compared to other parts of the building that is dominantly in square form. Though the tower is actually in square form, but the composition makes the impression that the tower is in rounded shape. It becomes more elegant with its big high windows. During SIEM festival, the tower became the backdrop of the stage poured with the colourful attractive lighting techniques. Even, in the fifth day of SIEM attended by more than 10,000 audiences, the tower was used by one performer who played saxophone. It was really surprising for the people. The middle part of the building is spacious sandy area that in the past was used for military training. I think several football matches can be done in the same time in that area. You can go upstairs to clearly see the other buildings in Solo near the area. You will see Bank Indonesia Solo very clear as you see Pusat Grosir Solo and Beteng Trade Centre. Maybe your vision will be bit bothered by Danamon Bank, the only building which Reco Galadag in Vastenburg. Reco Galadag in Vastenburg. Reco Galadag in Vastenburg. is constructed in Vastenburg Fort area. Simply, it looks strange to see only one modern building in historical zone. The Mayor of Solo, Joko Widodo who has serious concern in preserving cultural heritage cannot do much to beautify or to function it to be more touristy since the fort is owned by private individual. However, he has done several proactive actions including asking the owner to grant the fort back as part of cultural heritage owned by country. People of Solo also have done proactive movement such as musical charity concert having symbolic the meaning the money from the concert will be used for buying back the fort. Since there are many controversies , the condition remains status-quo. There is not any progressive action from the owner to renovate it to be boutique hotel as planned before. Even after it is used for SIEM Festival 2007, the fort is not yet functioned again in any events or purposes. Personally, I expect Vastenburg Fort will be owned back by the country soon. If it happens, I cannot wait the magic will be done to Vastenburg by Joko Widodo like he has created enchanting night market Ngarsopuro; amazing food street Buffalo statue in VastenburgBuffalo statue in Vastenburg Buffalo statue in Vastenburg centre with more than 70 choices of traditional food vendors, Galabo; and attractive fun Slamet Riyadi long city-walk. I wish it can be used openly for public and beneficial more for Solonese people both in image as tourist attraction and good place to socialize. Thus, the beauty will no more hide. Vastenburg cannot wait to “perform”, to show its splendor to anyone who sees it. For those who are interested in cultural spots, it can be your choice to observe when you come to Solo.

If you have been to Kebumen, not hurt you to stop for a moment to the history of the fort attractions Van der Wijck. Its location is quite near from main road / highway Kebumen-Yogya, which is about 300 meters, it is very pity if pass up. Ancient fortress with the dominant red color is quite conspicuous among the other buildings, but given the subtle from the main road entrance to the tourist sites are quite far from the gate of the fort. Provided that the mini train ready to take visitors from the main gate surrounds this historic attractions You do not have to worry that the attraction is the history of this location, will only be treated to the ancient buildings which tend to be tedious and less desirable children. Some means of children’s games have been built around the castle like a swan boat, turn the wheel and various other children’s games. Not to forget is also a giant dinosaur statue built joined to enliven the atmosphere and more familiarized with the world of children. Even a mini railway station was built just above the top of the fort’s main gate, allowing visitors to round the top of the castle by using a mini train. Inside the castle itself, visitors can see some pictures of documentation about the original form of the castle buildings as they are found and the stages of restoration that has been done about it. Rooms of the former military barracks, dormitories, guard posts and forts can be seen in pretty much everything in a neat and clean condition. It’s just a notice board affixed to the outside of the fort contains “Before entering the castle you should pray for a moment by their belief”, could lead to wrinkles didahi read it as memorable as sinister. Could it ever happen things outside of reason against visitors currently resides in the castle, like a man possessed? Van der Wijck actual fortress built in the early 19th century or around 1820′s, the same Diponegoro widespread rebellion. This rebellion was very inconvenient because Diponegoro Dutch colonial government supported some elite figures in South Java. Thus the Dutch and then apply the tactics of the fort stelsel controlled areas immediately built the fort. Leaders who initiated the founding of this fort is the Governor-General Van den Bosch. The aim is clear as a defense (and attack) in the South Kedu residency. At that time, many forts built by the system of forced labor (forced labor) because there are rules that residents must pay taxes in the form of labor. Of course this makes us more and more people suffer less before the governor-general had a similar project that is Deandels highway heading (Anyer Penarukan, along ca. 1000 km), also with forced labor. Judging from the shape of the building, the building’s contemporary fort Willem (Ambarawa) and Prins Oranje (Semarang has now been destroyed). At inception, the fortress with high walls of 10 m was named Fort Cochius (Fort Cochius). Its name is taken from one of the Dutch army officer (David Frans Cochius) ever assigned Bagelen (one of the residency Kedu). Van der Wijck name, which is listed on the front of the entrance, was one of the Dutch military officer who was a commander at the fort. Van der Wijck reputation is quite bright because one of his services was to silence the fighters in Aceh, and with absolute cruelty. In the Japanese era, the fort was used as a barracks and training ground fighters PETA. Judging from the physical, the extent of 3606.62 m2 building has been undergoing renovation which is pretty good. Unfortunately, less attention to the renovation of this historic building conservation rules to remember this building as one of the potential of cultural heritage (cultural heritage)

Speelwijk Fort and Cemeteries This fortress is sited in the north west of Surosowan, Pamarican village. Fort Speelwijk was built in 1682 by VOC and expanded in 1685 and 1731 to control the activities of the Banten kingdom and protect the Dutch interests at Banten. Situated not so far from Chinese temple Avalokiteshvara, this fortress directly facing to the sea. From this point, the Dutch troopers was watching and guarding the fort from pirates and local heroes. Inside the fortress, there’s an Old Dutch cemetery. One of the buried bodies is a man who was born in Bergen-op-Zoom in 17th century. The Ruin of fortress implies that it was a great fortress in Banten, height about 5 meters and length of each side of 80 meters; also the canal for defense surrounded it. It has four bastions that still stand sturdily. In 1659 a treaty between Banten and the Dutch, by then a trading company known for short as VOC, gave a tract of land free to the Cloggiest and it was here they built their stone defenses. At that time the sea was much closer than today, now fishing boats are just visible bobbing lazily on the tide from the battlements. In 1682 after a brief conflict the Dutch kicked the English traders out of ‘their’ turf and licking their wounds, they settled on the godforsaken Bengkulu on the west coast of Sumatra where they proceeded to drink vast quantities of alcohol and really piss off their head office in London. Just outside the fort to the east are some tombs of those who never made it home. Like can be seen in Jakarta, Bogor, Penang and Melaka the silent tombs tell the story of western endeavors in the east and it is to the credit of the host countries that these burial places have often been spared the bulldozer. The ruin of Speelwijk fort is also stayed at the northwest of the tomb of the third king of Banten kingdom, Maulana Yusuf, who ruled in the 1570s. Since 1985, local archaeological finds have been displayed in the Banten Site Museum on Mesjid Banten Lama Street.

The fort is located in the hills Pendem Kaliwaru Hamlet, Hamlet Bapangsari Krendetan, Kec. Bagelen at a height of 200 m above sea level. The fort is a heritage Pendem Japanese army which was built in 1945 for a total of 29 pieces. In the first wartime goal of this fort was built as a place of Japan’s defense and reconnaissance in the face of the enemy, especially coming from the South Seas. Unfortunately, as a silent witness to history, the fort was not maintained. In the future expected this fortress can be a concern primarily the local government aspects of the treatment so as to attract tourists to visit. During this site visit the Citadel many young people as a place of recreation. The fort was built by the Dutch between 1861-1879 AD is widely have the original 10.5 hectares. But apparently some four acres taken by Pertamina for the construction of one of its facilities in the area. The fort is sempet buried soil for some time, before finally discovered in 1986 and began excavated in 1987. Since then, the fort was opened to the visitors and researchers who want to visit this castle. Since that afternoon the sky was overcast and the atmosphere of evening began to dim, making the typical atmosphere of an ancient fortress that dashing, mysterious, spooky and beautifully mixed together. Pak Slamet, the fort was one of the guards took us to wander this stronghold. Barak first thing we encounter is resting barracks forced workers already working in the daytime and at night slept in the barracks this. Semicircular Barak is indeed unique and beautiful, because of its ancient forms as well as around the site seems well maintained. After the retreat into the barracks again is where the cannon, the cannon holes towards the ocean ready to attack enemies that come. While the cannon-cannon itself was gone, either taken by the Dutch themselves or by people who are not responsible. Opposite where the cannon is the clinic space, is a treatment room for the workers who got sick. Still in the direction of the clinic space is a prison kitchen and living room. Another uniqueness of this castle is, once the ship could directly enter into this fortress, as evidenced by the presence of an artificial stream directly through to the high seas. Having tired of wandering in the Fort Pendem Read more at: http://pics4share.blogspot.com/2011/09/burried-fort-benteng-pendem-pics.html Copyright pics4share.blogspot.com